Go to the ant, you sluggard!

Consider her ways and be wise

Proverbs 6:6

Dr. S P Simon, MGOCSM Coordinator, Trichy Zone

ORGANISATION OF PRESENTATION
ANTS IN BIBLE

QUALITIES OF ANTS

CHRISTIAN WORK ETHICS

WEALTH/MONEY MANAGEMENT

ANTS IN BIBLE Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs: 6:6-8 The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; Proverbs: 30:25 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;

Proverbs: 30:25

VIDEO CLIPS

Look at me !!!!!!

How smart I do things!!!

QUALITIES OF ANTS
INTELLIGENT TEAM WORK (GOOD WORK ETHICS) SHARING AND HELPING NATURE GOOD COMMUNICATION AMONG THEM GOOD FOOD/WEALTH MANAGEMENT NEVER GIVE UP ATTRIBUTE (HOPE) GOAL ORIENTED CHOOSES ALWAYS THE BEST WAY LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE ANTS PREFERENCE FOR LIGHT AN ATTRIBUTE ON DISCIPLINE ALWAYS BRISK AND ENERGETIC(NO LAZINESS) MOST SUCESSFUL CREATURE ON EARTH

INTELLIGENT Shortest path between source and destination Building bigger homes to live in CLIP
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Maximizing the energy Usage

BE INTELLIGENT AND WISE

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16) Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. (Luke 10:3) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

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TEAM WORK (GOOD WORK ETHICS)

The whole is more than the sum of its parts (Aristotle) (Examples-synergies) Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand hima threefold cord is not quickly broken

TEAM WORK (GOOD WORK ETHICS)

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

Genesis 2:18 Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.

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SHARING AND HELPING EACH OTHER

Luke 12:33. "Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys." Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, "Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise." Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

GOOD COMMUNICATION AMONG THEM (BASIC NATURE)

It is known that real ants in nature are capable of discovering the shortest path from a food source to the nest It is also well known that real ants deposit pheromone on the ground while walking. At the same time, real ants follow pheromone that was deposited previously by other ants (Stigmergy-an indirect communication). Going from the nest towards a food source, real ants choose a particular path with a certain probability The probability that a certain path will be chosen significantly depends on the amount of pheromone that has been deposit on that path. The higher the amount of pheromone, the higher the probability that a path is chosen.

GOOD COMMUNICATION FOR GOOD RELATIONS

"should be quick to listen and slow to speak." (James 1:19). Jesus, for example, said: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear! (Matthew 11:15). "He who answers before listeningthat is his folly and his shame." (Proverbs 18:13).

GOOD FOOD/WEALTH MANAGEMENT (Importance of Planning) A mans heart deviseth his way: but, the Lord directeth his steps Proverbs 16-9 The results of a wise planGenesis 37-47 The story of Jacobss youngest son, Joseph

Examples of great men

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NEVER GIVE UP ATTRIBUTE

2 Chronicles 15:7 "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." Luke 18:1-4 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary. "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' " 1Thes.5:17 "Pray without ceasing" Matt 7:7-9 "Ask and it will be given to you;" He said, "Seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

GOAL ORIENTED

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I Corinthians 9: 26-27

ANIMATION OF ANTS FINDING SHORTEST PATH

PHEROMONE TRAIL BUILD UP/EVAPORATION

CHOOSES ALWAYS THE BEST WAY

Mathew 6: 19-24 Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon

No Ruler

LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE

ANTS PREFERENCE FOR LIGHT

Lets make a spiritual application of the above observation to ourselves. Similar to the ant, we are to be spiritually productive in the Lords kingdom (John 15:1-8; cf. Matthew 5:16). We too are most productive, when we walk in the light of Gods word (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23; cf. Ephesians 5:8; 1 John 1:7) not residing in spiritual darkness (1 John 1:6; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11). Brethren, as followers of God, let us be productive in sharing the light of the gospel with others, so they wont have to remain in spiritual darkness (Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

ALWAYS BRISK AND ENERGETIC (NO LAZINESS)

Proverb 12:24, Proverb 18:9

MOST SUCESSFUL CREATURE ON EARTH

Failure of Darwin's Theory

Gods Creation

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES ON WORK ETHICS

IMMEDIATE THOUGHT ABOUT WORK

What comes to your mind when you hear the word, WORK...? And what comes to your mind when you hear the word LEISURE?

DEFINITION

Websters definition of leisure fascinating. It says leisure is freedom from occupation, spare time

WHY WORK?
People have different reasons for going to work:
to earn a livelihood, a source of self-worth/identity, pride, passion, to earn a lot of money and so on

WHAT IS THE INITIAL PLAN OF GOD DURING CREATION?

God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. (Gen 2:15) God created man to work. That was Gods purpose.

GOD CALLING?

For a student, Gods calling primarily is to study. Do you perceive study as something God wants you to do? If it is so, does it not completely change your attitude towards study? Study becomes meaningful when you realize it as Gods purpose for you.

I. YOU WILL CONSIDER STUDY TO BE SACRED

Studying various academic disciplines is often perceived to be secular and is considered inferior to the sacred. I Cor. 12 Using Pauls analogy to exalt the spiritual work of a missionary over the secular work of a scientist is really to say that the tongue is more important than the pancreas.

I. YOU WILL CONSIDER STUDY TO BE SACRED

As far as the Christian is concerned, all work can be sacred (when they are done in obedience to Gods will) and all are secular (because they are worked out in the world). David Field It is not what a man does that determines whether his work is sacred or secular, it is why he does it A. W. Tozer.

II. YOU WILL ALLOW GODS WORD TO DIRECT YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF GODS WORLD

Distortions in the body of knowledge, like the theory of evolution in biology or the sensual literatures in the study of language? Knowledge in its purest form is from God. There are also flaws in our subjects because of our fallen human condition.

(contd)
This is where God Word comes to our aid. God's Word directs our understanding of His World.

WHAT BIBLE SAYS?

Scripture enables us to have the right perception of the world around us. It also helps us to interpret the teachings of our culture. There can be no field of knowledge that is untouched by the revealed Word.

 The Bible stands as the central curriculum. So we need to balance these two areas of study (Gods Word and Gods World), as God is the author of both.

III. YOU WILL MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY

God created certain patterns in time: Day and Night, Six days and the Seventh day. Day was meant for work and night for rest. Six days to work and the seventh to rest.

III. YOU WILL MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY

We face problems when we break this God created pattern. For some, it is secular work for 6 days and sacred work on the 7th day. The sacred work on the 7th day sometimes is more rigorous than the 6 days work. Then, Monday mornings turn out to be dry, dull and gloomy.

III. YOU WILL MANAGE YOUR TIME WISELY

Try resting on Sunday. How refreshed and recharged you would feel when you wake up on Monday morning to resume your work! That is what God wanted it to be.

IV. YOU WILL STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

I would like to quote some of the profound sayings of Martin Luther King, Jr.: Whatever your life's work is, do it well. A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better.

IV. YOU WILL STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

I would like to quote some of the profound sayings of Martin Luther King, Jr.: If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of heaven and earth will have to pause

IV. YOU WILL STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE

and say, Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well. If you can't be a pine at the top of the hill, be a shrub in the valley. But be the best little shrub on the side of the hill.

V. YOU WILL LOOK TO GOD FOR YOUR REWARD

This is what the Bible says regarding how you need to excel in studies: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men (Col 3:23) emphasis added God wants you to study with all your heart.

V. YOU WILL LOOK TO GOD FOR YOUR REWARD

Col. 3:23,24. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (emphasis added)

V. YOU WILL LOOK TO GOD FOR YOUR REWARD

You will work hard because you are working for the Lord and he will pay you for what it is worth, and in full Ben Patterson

VI. YOU WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD

Col 3:23, 24. When you work with all your heart, as working for the Lord, then you will give to God all the fruits of your hard labour. That is an act of worship.

VI. YOU WILL BRING GLORY TO GOD

You may work in a computer, you may be a ditch digger, you may work in a cemetery, you may be the executive of a corporation, you may be a homemaker, you may be a student Do all to the glory of God and give that as an expression of worship to him. Ravi Zacharias

Working out money Issues

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GODS PLAN FOR YOUR MONEY?

BASIC DOUBTS?????.....

Does Bible says anything about Gods plan for your money? Is money good or evil? Whether God is opposed to riches?

(contd)

Can we seek wealth and eternal life? Is money management important?

THREE REASONS TO BELIEVE..

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYONE OF OUR LIFES-JEREMIAH 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end
GODS WORD IS CRYSTAL CLEAR ON MATTERS OF MONEY-2350 VERSES-MALACHI 3:10

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it

(contd)
GOD WANTS US TO HAVE A RIGHT ATTITUDE ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN

-16 OUT OF 38 PARABLES DEALS WITH MONEY AND POSSESSIONS E.g. Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard-Mathew 20:1 Parable of the TalentsMathew 25:15 (Ownership Vs Stewardship)

Wealth and The Bible

Abraham- very rich in livestock, in silver and in gold-Genesis 13:2 -Genesis 18:18,22:18,26:4 God originator of financial blessings-I Samuel 2:7; Proverbs 10:22 Speaking favorably of someone who provide for his children and grand children -Proverbs 13:11

Wealth and Eternal Life

Mark 10:17-20,21-25 Jesus Christ Young Man
Disciples

Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God

Money Management
Living with your means (Contentment) Phil 4:10-12 Heb 13:5 Proverbs 23:4 Labor not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch Proverbs 11-28

Reducing, and Eliminating, Unsecured Debt

Rom. 13:8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another Proverb 22:7 ..Borrower is the servant to the lender To borrow or not to borrow???

Deuteronomy 15:6 For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.

(contd)
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Putting Resources at Gods Disposal

II Cor 9:7 God loves a cheerful giver God owns it all (Malachi-3:10) Tithe (One tenth) Leviticus 27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD - First step acknowledgement that God is truly-the owner of it all -Widows Offering-Mark 12:41-44 /Luke 21:1-4

Preparing for the future

Luke 12:13-22 Parable of Rich Man Proverb 6:6 Becoming a wise saver Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Developing the right attitude

Proverbs 23:7 James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways Mathew 6: 19-24 Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon I Timothy 6:10-11

The battle for freedom

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life Proverb 22:4 Ephesians 6:12 Greatest Weapon of our EnemyLove of MONEY

The importance of planning

A mans heart deviseth his way: but, the Lord directeth his steps Proverbs 16-9 The results of a wise plan Genesis 37-47 The story of Jacobss youngest son, Joseph

Conclusion
Living with your means (Contentment) Reducing, and Eliminating, Unsecured Debt Putting Resources at Gods Disposal Preparing for the future Developing the right attitude The battle for freedom The importance of planning

THANK YOU